Following an incident with teammate Dean Thompson on the final lap of Friday’s ARCA Menards Series event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Sean Hingorani, the 16-year-old rookie for Venturini Motorsports, has been heavily penalized.
Hingorani, who is competing for both the ARCA East and ARCA West championships with the juggernaut organization, has been assessed a one-race suspension, and placed on probation for the remainder of the 2023 season.
According to a penalty report, published Monday by the sanctioning body, Hingorani was found to be in violation of 2023 ARCA Rulebook Section 12-8.1, which references ARCA Member Conduct Guidelines.
More specifically, the Newport Beach, California native was slapped with penalties in Sections C and D of the aforementioned rulebook excerpt, which refers to “intentionally wrecking another vehicle, premeditatedly removing another competitor from contention when not racing for position and waiting for another competitor and then taking action.”
As a result of the penalty, Hingorani will not be sidelined for the upcoming Calyspo 150 at Iowa Speedway. This is a major blow to him and the No. 15 Toyota Camry’s title bid in the ARCA Menards Series East, as the event at Iowa is a combination event.
Entering Iowa, Hingorani sits third in ARCA Menards Series East point standings, just 22 markers behind Joe Gibbs Racing driver William Sawalich.
The incident in Friday’s Zinsser SmartCoat 150 saw emotions come to a boiling point, as he and part-time teammate Dean Thompson had made earlier contact with eight laps remaining. However, on the final lap, Hingorani who had just been put a lap down, decided to take matters into his own hands.
Video: Sean Hingorani Retaliates on Teammate Dean Thompson on Final Lap at Mid-Ohio
Thompson was visibly upset post-race with the driver of the No. 15. Speaking to him through the driver’s window in the gravel trap with his helmet still on.
Hingorani has contested events in all three divisions of the ARCA Menards Series platform this season, scoring three victories in the West Series, and going winless thus far in the East Series. Friday’s event at Mid-Ohio marked the driver’s fourth start on the national platform.
At this time, it is unclear who will fill the seat of the Venturini Motorsports No. 15 in Saturday’s ARCA Menards Series event at Iowa Speedway.
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